Luke 1:18

“And Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this? etc.] Notwithstanding such an appearance of an angel to him, which in those times was not so usual, and this in the holy place; and the things themselves which were told him, and these as the return of prayer; yet he distrusted, and wanted a sign, whereby he might know the truth of them, as the Jews were generally desirous of, and as the father of them was; who expressed himself in much such language, on a certain occasion, as this his son did; (see <011508>Genesis 15:8). For I am an old man; at least sixty years of age; for with the Jews, sixty years were reckoned, hnqzl, “for old age” f45; and a man of these years, was accounted…”

“Whereby, &c.--Mary believed what was far harder without a sign. Abraham, though older, and doubtless Sarah, too, when the same promise was made to him, "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God." This was that in which Zacharias failed.”

“Whereby shall I know this? - The thing was improbable, and he desired “evidence” that it would take place. The testimony of an “angel,” and in such a place, should have been proof enough; but people are slow to believe the testimony of heavenly messengers. As a consequence of not believing, he was struck mute. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Zacharias said, Whereby shall I know this? - In how different a spirit did he blessed virgin say, How shall this be? Zacharias disbelieved the fact: Mary had no doubt of the thing; but only inquired concerning the manner of it. Luke 1:19”

“Whereby: Luk 1:34; Gen 15:8, Gen 17:17, Gen 18:12; Jdg 6:36-40; Isa 38:22 for: Luk 1:7; Num 11:21-23; Kg2 7:2; Rom 4:19 Luke 1:19”